When I first started the Saving to Disney course, you’ll remember that I was slightly skeptical that it could help me save money on groceries. I especially had little faith in coupons. Firstly, because of our diet, we didn’t buy a lot of things that were coupon eligible. I thought. Secondly, I didn’t know where to easily obtain coupons. All that came in the mail were coupons for fast food places we couldn’t eat because of our special diet and we didn’t get the paper, so where were these coupons coming from? I know, I know. But this was before I knew about digital coupons or even had a printer. Dark days.
I read the couponing section in Saving to Disney with a little bit of an attitude. “Oh, we’ll see how this goes,” I thought to myself. And as you see before you on a weekly basis, it went very well! Couponing doesn’t just mean little pieces of paper that give you money off an item. It also includes shopping smartly, stocking up on sale, and most importantly for me, using those earnings and cash back apps. I picked up skills that save me money on the weekly and have contributed a large amount to my Disney fund. When the dust settles on my 2018 Disney trip, I’d like to go back and see just how much grocery budget overflow went into the Disney fund. I’m betting it’s a good amount.
There was one tip in the couponing details that I had never had to put into action until this trip. It was something I read, mentally registered, but never thought about again. An underrated knowledge bomb, if you will. But then this trip happened and it popped right into my head, saving me some money and some hassle along the way. What is that tip, you ask?
Know before you go.
Know everything about your sale before you go. Know the exclusions, know the end date, know the exact sizes of the items on sale. But mostly importantly, and I cannot stress this enough, know your store’s coupon policy before you go. You can even, as the Saving to Disney course suggest, just bring your couponing binder with you to the store. Sure, it might be a little bit clunky, but who cares about clunky when you’re saving money?
My store was having a three day sale on seafood, with salmon and shrimp being featured in a *Digital Coupon* for $5.77 a pound. I approach the seafood counter, ready to get my cheap fish. Here is a dramatic re-interpretation.
ME: Hello! May I please have two pounds of the Atlantic Salmon?
FISHMONGER: Yes, ma’m.
ME: Thank you. And, just to be sure, this is the Atlantic Salmon that is $5.77 a pound?
FISHMONGER: Sure.
ME: Sure?
FISHMONGER: Yes, I think so.
(Salmon, salmon, salmon, I get my salmon.)
FISHMONGER: Anything else?
ME: Yes, one pound of the shrimp that is also featured on the Digital coupon.
FISHMONGER: I don’t know which one that is.
ME: It’s the Jumbo, previously frozen shrimp.
FISHMONGER: You’re sure?
ME: I’m sure.
FISHMONGER: Oh, good. I just started here six days ago and I have no idea what’s what yet.
And I was sure, because I had written down all my coupon details on my grocery list. Last week I talked about what happens when you’re overcharged for an item. People are people and we make mistakes. Knowing what your food will cost before you go, knowing the policies on those sales, and knowing the exact items will help a situation that could get frustrating or expensive.
You are the only thing in that scenario that you can control, and the best way to be in control is to be prepared. (Cue Scar singing, ‘Be prepaaaaaaaared’).
Even if you think some saving tip can’t apply to you, go ahead and store that knowledge in your hopper. The worst thing that can happen is that you’re prepared for a variety of outcomes. The best thing is that it can save you some money.
- Atlantic Salmon, 1.79 lb -$14.30. *Digital Coupon* made fresh Atlantic Salmon $5.77 a pound.
- Bananas, 1.68 lbs-$.92.
- Blueberries, pint (3)-$5.64. They were on sale last week, but even better on sale this week for $1.88 a pint.
- Boars Head Pepperoni, 3/4 lb-$4.21.
- Chobani Yogurt-$0. Free with a *Digital Coupon* from the manufacturer.
- Green Grapes, 1.74 lb-$2.23.
- Heritage Farm Chicken Breasts, 4.86 lbs -$9.69.
- Jumbo Shrimp, 1.02 lb-$5.89. *Digital Coupon* making shrimp $5.77 a pound.
- Kroger Canned Tomatoes (2)-$.97.
- Mediterranen Gouda-$3.60.
- Private Selection Angus Sirloin, 2.17 lb-$10.83. In-store sale for $4.99 a pound.
- Roma Tomatoes, 1.08 lb-$1.39.
- Romaine Lettuce, 1.90 lb-$2.45.
- Strawberries, 1 lb (2)-$5. In store sale 2 for $5.
- Tyson Split Chicken Breasts, 6.13 lbs-$6.07. In store sale, .99 a lb.
- Apps I’ll Submit to-Fetch Rewards
Total Budget: $76.90
Total Spent: $69.23
Total Saved: $39.30
Rolled Over to Next Trip: $7.67
Do you ‘know before you go’? Have you ever gotten caught up in a confusing situation with sale products? Are you as obsessed with shrimp as I am? Tell me all about it in the comments!
Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey three years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own savings adventure!